then they would be brown, the nitrogen would have diminished to the point of not being a "green" anymore.

The same would be true with lawn clippings but because they're so finely cut and so nitrogen rich they often self compost before they ever get a chance to become browns, lol...

dried plants that were green when you clipped them could be a green but they are less green that fresh clippings and they are less brown than fall leaves... :-)

Ok...think I got it now :-)

Also think...I shoulda taken up Knitting LOL

me too - just kidding ha
you'll wish you had ;-)

As a general rule, about plant material, you can consider any plant material that is green in color to be a relatively good Nitrogen source and any plant material that is brown in color to be a good carbon source.
You can get all tied up in discussions about the nuances that exist but this is the quick answer to your question.

Thank you all for the info...funny how I already lookaround the yard and say "green" and "brown" in my head!!

I just love this place...there is SO much great information here.

just remember that used coffee grounds (UCGs) are a green in disguise, heh...